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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Northwest Arkansas, written by local reporters.

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Monday Munchies: Zelli Deli

The prosciutto and fig sandwich seemed to defy physics.

Food and Drink

🍝 Alex checked out <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Zelli Pasta" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/02/23/homemade-pasta-zelli-springdale-local" data-vars-content-id="39d1707b-182f-4ce2-b38a-1eb85a9783c1" data-vars-headline="Monday Munchies: Zelli Deli" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/02/23/homemade-pasta-zelli-springdale-local" target="_self">Zelli Pasta</a> as take-it-home-and-cook-it-yourself, but they&#x27;ve since started serving sandwiches, which is more my style.The setup: Downtown Springdale may soon become my fave lunchtime location — there are tons of options, it&#x27;s easy for me to get to, and the crowds aren&#x27;t yet insane (if you can find a parking spot!).

The Agenda: Construction project plans

The Bentonville and Springdale city councils meet tonight.

News

Your city councils are back from spring break and plan to meet tonight.<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bentonville" data-vars-click-url="https://bentonvillear.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1728/files/agenda/8676" data-vars-content-id="37d352ce-2c0e-458c-b500-3572cd9ed6e8" data-vars-headline="The Agenda: Construction project plans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bentonvillear.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1728/files/agenda/8676" target="_blank">Bentonville</a> will vote on:

Heartland Forward targets maternal mortality — but Arkansas lags

The U.S. now has the highest maternal mortality rate in the developed world.

Health

Bentonville&#x27;s Heartland Forward launched a drive to slash U.S. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="maternal mortality" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/05/09/heartland-forward-maternal-health-initiative" data-vars-content-id="dd5a2be0-e141-4c31-9bf6-948319f87b7b" data-vars-headline="Heartland Forward targets maternal mortality — but Arkansas lags" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/05/09/heartland-forward-maternal-health-initiative" target="_self">maternal mortality</a> in half within five years.Why it matters: Maternal deaths in the U.S. have more than doubled since the 1980s, and the country now has the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="highest rate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2024/jun/insights-us-maternal-mortality-crisis-international-comparison" data-vars-content-id="dd5a2be0-e141-4c31-9bf6-948319f87b7b" data-vars-headline="Heartland Forward targets maternal mortality — but Arkansas lags" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2024/jun/insights-us-maternal-mortality-crisis-international-comparison" target="_blank">highest rate</a> in the developed world. About 84% of the deaths are preventable and roughly 65% happen after childbirth.

Northwest Arkansas commercial real estate remains steady

The vacancy rate dropped from 7.2% to 6.3% in the second half of 2025.

Business

Northwest Arkansas&#x27; commercial real estate vacancy rate dropped slightly from 7.2% to 6.3% in the second half of 2025, according to the biannual Arvest Skyline Report released Tuesday.Why it matters: Commercial vacancy rates are an indicator of the area&#x27;s economic vitality. Low rates often signal strong demand but can drive up rents and limit space for businesses.<ul><li>Generally, rates between 5% and 10% are considered healthy, Skyline authors note in the report.</li></ul>

Report: Northwest Arkansas' residential still resilient

Nationally, home sales hovered near a 30-year low in 2025 as high mortgage rates cooled demand, a trend Northwest Arkansas largely bucked.

Higher prices and mortgage rates didn&#x27;t stop more than 5,100 homes from selling in Northwest Arkansas during the second half of 2025, according to the Arvest Skyline Report released Tuesday.Why it matters: Real estate demand — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="commercial" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/02/12/northwest-arkansas-office-vacancy-may-be-tightest-in-us" data-vars-content-id="a74ce0d2-a2da-4365-b0a0-c34a8632c130" data-vars-headline="Report: Northwest Arkansas&#x27; residential still resilient" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2026/02/12/northwest-arkansas-office-vacancy-may-be-tightest-in-us" target="_self">commercial</a> and residential — is an indicator of an area&#x27;s economy, but expensive housing and rents <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shape who can afford" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/09/23/unity-key-as-northwest-arkansas-cities-face-growth-strain" data-vars-content-id="a74ce0d2-a2da-4365-b0a0-c34a8632c130" data-vars-headline="Report: Northwest Arkansas&#x27; residential still resilient" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/09/23/unity-key-as-northwest-arkansas-cities-face-growth-strain" target="_self">shape who can afford</a> to live in NWA.

Northwest Arkansas office vacancy rate among tightest in U.S.

Commercial property trends signal economic momentum, reinforcing Northwest Arkansas as an economic outlier.

Office space in Northwest Arkansas remained scarce at the end of 2025, with a 4.6% vacancy rate, one of the lowest in the U.S., according to a Cushman &amp; Wakefield Sage Partners report.Why it matters: Commercial property trends signal economic momentum, reinforcing Northwest Arkansas as an economic outlier in a soft national office market — though tight supply can limit expansion and push rents higher.

Key takeaways from the 2025 State of the Northwest Arkansas Region report

Here's a snapshot of the current economy in Northwest Arkansas..

Jobs are pretty good in NWA, but housing is still too expensive.Driving the news: The Northwest Arkansas Council and the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business released their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="annual report" data-vars-click-url="https://online.flippingbook.com/view/889448164/" data-vars-content-id="b43b3b85-6759-415d-9793-5af32e3e9fb3" data-vars-headline="Key takeaways from the 2025 State of the Northwest Arkansas Region report" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://online.flippingbook.com/view/889448164/" target="_blank">annual report</a> this week detailing how the region&#x27;s economy is going.

NWA home sales pace stays solid despite prices

More than 5,000 homes sold in Northwest Arkansas during the first half of 2025.

Even with record prices, more than 5,000 homes sold in Northwest Arkansas during the first half of 2025, according to the Arvest Skyline Report, released Tuesday.Why it matters: Rising housing prices and rents continue to shape who can afford to live in NWA. Lower- and middle-income households remain the most <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="squeezed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/01/31/bentonville-housing-affordability-development" data-vars-content-id="7f2e5e40-9bd4-4044-a710-f0103e205b94" data-vars-headline="NWA home sales pace stays solid despite prices" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2023/01/31/bentonville-housing-affordability-development" target="_self">squeezed</a> as supply struggles to match demand.

Report: NWA's commercial real estate is "remarkably healthy"

Low vacancy rates often signal strong economic demand but can drive up rents and limit space for businesses.

Real Estate

Northwest Arkansas&#x27; overall commercial real estate vacancy rate rose to 7.2%, according to the biannual Arvest Skyline Report, released Tuesday. It was up from 5.8% at the beginning of the year.Why it matters: Commercial property is an indicator of an area&#x27;s economic vitality. Low vacancy rates often signal strong economic demand but can drive up rents and limit space for businesses.

Walton-backed company takes over Bella Vista design standards

Blue Crane purchased developer rights from Cooper Communities.

Walton-backed company Blue Crane now runs the committee that decides whether you can paint your Bella Vista home hot pink.State of play: When Steuart and Tom Walton&#x27;s real estate company <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="purchased land from Cooper Communities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/05/10/walton-backed-company-buys-up-bella-vista-land" data-vars-content-id="6d5913ac-8768-4d10-94b9-474df2c838bd" data-vars-headline="Walton-backed company takes over Bella Vista design standards" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/05/10/walton-backed-company-buys-up-bella-vista-land" target="_self">purchased land from Cooper Communities</a> last year, it also purchased developer rights for most of the city and now runs the Architectural Control Committee, Bella Vista&#x27;s communications director Cassi Lapp explained.<ul><li>The committee is still in operation. Residents may check its policies and procedures <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="here" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bvacc.com/permits" data-vars-content-id="6d5913ac-8768-4d10-94b9-474df2c838bd" data-vars-headline="Walton-backed company takes over Bella Vista design standards" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bvacc.com/permits" target="_blank">here</a>.</li></ul>

Report: Northwest Arkansas' office space still in high demand

Office vacancy hit a 15-year low in Northwest Arkansas.

Office vacancy rates in Northwest Arkansas fell to a 15-year low of 4%, while the national rate edged to a record 20.7% in Q2, according to a Cushman &amp; Wakefield Sage Partners analysis.Why it matters: Commercial property is an indicator of an area&#x27;s economic vitality. Low vacancy rates often signal strong economic demand but can drive up rents and limit space for businesses.

NWA's manor-style homes are pricier, harder to find

No matter the look, home prices have soared since the pandemic.

The hottest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/11/affordable-housing-crisis" data-vars-content-id="799672b1-a557-4d92-a6be-fab1cad9671a" data-vars-headline="NWA&#x27;s manor-style homes are pricier, harder to find" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/11/affordable-housing-crisis" target="_self">homes</a> on the market aren&#x27;t the showiest — they&#x27;re the ones buyers can still afford, Realtor.com <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="finds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.realtor.com/research/architecture-styles-review-2025" data-vars-content-id="799672b1-a557-4d92-a6be-fab1cad9671a" data-vars-headline="NWA&#x27;s manor-style homes are pricier, harder to find" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.realtor.com/research/architecture-styles-review-2025" target="_blank">finds</a>.Why it matters: In today&#x27;s expensive <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/03/homes-buyers-sellers-redfin" data-vars-content-id="799672b1-a557-4d92-a6be-fab1cad9671a" data-vars-headline="NWA&#x27;s manor-style homes are pricier, harder to find" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/03/homes-buyers-sellers-redfin" target="_self">market</a>, fierce competition for cheaper homes is driving up their prices.

Northwest Arkansas' home prices compared

The median home sale price in Northwest Arkansas was $370,000 at the end of March.

The median home sale price in Northwest Arkansas was $370,000 at the end of March, below the national median of $431,000, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Redfin" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/39340268.25045/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucmVkZmluLmNvbS91cy1ob3VzaW5nLW1hcmtldD91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX253X2Fya2Fuc2FzJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/60745e98f259136e9e4c81f2B12f04a6a" data-vars-content-id="74779f8e-eb25-4488-bb20-3b2603d9d1ea" data-vars-headline="Northwest Arkansas&#x27; home prices compared" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/39340268.25045/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucmVkZmluLmNvbS91cy1ob3VzaW5nLW1hcmtldD91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX253X2Fya2Fuc2FzJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/60745e98f259136e9e4c81f2B12f04a6a" target="_self">Redfin</a>.<ul><li>The median price statewide was $264,000.</li></ul>Yes, but: The average selling price for a single-family home during the last half of 2024 in Benton County was $449,750 according to the most recent Arvest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Skyline Report" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/39340268.25045/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL253LWFya2Fuc2FzLzIwMjUvMDMvMjUvbm9ydGh3ZXN0LWFya2Fuc2FzLWhvbWUtc2FsZXM_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJfYXhpb3Nsb2NhbF9ud19hcmthbnNhcyZzdHJlYW09dG9w/60745e98f259136e9e4c81f2B35e10045" data-vars-content-id="74779f8e-eb25-4488-bb20-3b2603d9d1ea" data-vars-headline="Northwest Arkansas&#x27; home prices compared" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/39340268.25045/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL253LWFya2Fuc2FzLzIwMjUvMDMvMjUvbm9ydGh3ZXN0LWFya2Fuc2FzLWhvbWUtc2FsZXM_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJfYXhpb3Nsb2NhbF9ud19hcmthbnNhcyZzdHJlYW09dG9w/60745e98f259136e9e4c81f2B35e10045" target="_self">Skyline Report</a>.<ul><li>It was $402,322 in Washington County.</li></ul>Caveat: An average is calculated by adding the totals of all sales and dividing by the number of sales.<ul><li>The median is the middle value of all sales.</li></ul>

A line chart that shows biannual vacancy rates for Northwest Arkansas' commercial real estate from H1 2016 to H2 2025. Rates fell from 12.7% in H1 2016 to a low of 5.6% in H1 2023, then edged up, reaching 7.2% in H1 2025 before ending at 6.3%.

Vacancy rates for all NWA commercial real estate


Data: Arvest Skyline Report; Chart: Axios Visuals

A line chart that tracks semiannual average home selling prices in Northwest Arkansas for Benton and Washington counties from June 2014 to January 2026. Benton County rises from $188,084 to $471,427, while Washington County climbs from $184,132 to $429,616. Both trend upward, with faster gains after 2021.

Average selling price for a home in NWA


A line chart that shows average home selling prices in Benton and Washington counties from mid-2014 to mid-2025. Prices rose from about $188,000 to $471,000 in Benton and from $184,000 to $417,000 in Washington. Both counties saw steady increases, with a gap widening after 2021.

Real Estate 🏠

Northwest Arkansas commercial real estate remains steady

Report: Northwest Arkansas' residential still resilient

Northwest Arkansas office vacancy rate among tightest in U.S.

Key takeaways from the 2025 State of the Northwest Arkansas Region report

NWA home sales pace stays solid despite prices